Another incredible night for Leitrim in the Connacht Senior Scór Finals. Leitrim once again topped the polls of titles on the night by winning 5 of the 8 events.
This brings our Connacht titles to 115 in Scór since it started in 1970. Leitrim also retained the Cormac MacGiolla Memorial Shield which was won in recognition of our success, the shield has never been outside of Leitrim since it was introduced to the competition in 2009.

St Marys were first to the stage in Rince Foirne and won the Figure Dance title, seeing off the opposition from Roscommon. The team will be hoping for a third time lucky All-Ireland chance this year having won the Connacht title for the first time in 2012 and they will be hoping to go the extra mile and bring the title back to Leitrim.
James Hazlet of Drumkeerin gave a fabulous performance in solo singing but Norrie Quinn of Abbeyknockmoy took the title back to Galway for a second year in a row.
Drumkeerin also represented Leitrim in Instrumental Music, they gave a flawless foot tapping performance but unfortunately for Leitrim, previous All-Ireland finalists, St Farnans of Sligo were announced the winners.
Aiden Dockery of Bornacoola gave a heartfelt performance in Recitation, winning him the Connacht title.
A fabulous win for St Marys Ballad group who gave yet another outstanding performance. Having made it to the All Ireland on 2 separate occasions in past years, elation was felt among the leitrim supporters for this exceptional group. It really will be double whammy for St Marys this year with both groups making their third All-Ireland debut.
Leona Reynolds from Aughnasheelin competed in Rince Sean-Os, a very well executed performance, mixing the traditional old style steps with her flare and energy successfully won the title.
Set Dancing was won by the Fenagh St Caillins team, a fine performance, and worthy winners of this years title.

Sean OHeslins having won the Question Time at Leitrim County Final will represent the County in a National Question Time Quiz in the IT Castlebar on the morning of the All-Ireland.

Tickets for the All Ireland
Tickets for the All Ireland Finals in the Royal Theatre Castlebar on Saturday 26th April must be ordered in advance. For the competing clubs, tickets must be ordered through your clubs Scór officer by Friday 4th April.
For people outside those clubs they can be ordered directly through County Scór Rúnaí, Maura Mulvey on 087-6486967 or contact your Scór officer as soon as possible. Clubs are also asked to make sure that anyone who orders tickets pays for them with the order, as tickets are non-refundable and the clubs must pay for all tickets when ordered.

 
Rince Foirne: St Marys, Leitrim
Solo Singing : Norrie Quinn, Abbeyknockmoy, Galway
Recitation: Aiden Dockery, Bornacoola, Leitrim
Instrumental Music: St Farnans Sligo
Sean-Os: Leona Reynolds, Aughnasheelin, Leitrim
Ballad Group : St Marys, Leitrim
Set Dance: Fenagh St Callins, Leitrim 

 

 

24-Mar-14 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor

 

 

Leitrim U-21 football boss Shane Ward salutes his committed troops after victory over Galway

And you could also read or listen to this or this

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24-Mar-14 by Leitrim GAA

 

 

But in Leitrim, as in neighbouring counties Cavan, Roscommon and Longford, there has been a remarkably high quality of football coaching from the age of U-14 upwards for over a decade.

Well worth the read

 

 

 

 

 

 

24-Mar-14 by Leitrim GAA

On 22/3/14 Leitrim won their first Under 21 Championship match since 1998 and in doing so knocked out reigning Connacht and All Ireland Champions Galway after an exciting match in Pairc Seán.

They’ve set up a Shannonside derby in the final against Roscommon after Shane Wards side overcame the tribesmen by 0-09 to 0-08.

Leitrim played the first half against the breeze and were soon 3 points to 1 behind and at halftime the deficit was 3 points with it Galway 0-06 Leitrim 0-03. Leitrim thenÓgot the first two scores of the second half to put just 1 between them. They took control and Cian Clinton soon levelled the tight proceedings to make it 0-07 to 0-07 before he struck again as Leitrim took the lead for the first time with 4 minutes to go leaving the score at 8 points to 7. Galway levelled and threatened to spoil the party only for Man of the Match Niall Brady to pop up with the winning score and thus securing the result of the GAA year so far.

Click on the link below for the closing commentary and post match reaction with John Lynch from Manager Shane Ward and Man of the Match Niall Brady – this will give you a shiver down your spine – real goosebumps stuff!!!!

 

http://www.shannonside.ie/sport/29000/

 

 

23-Mar-14 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leitrim GAA Supporters Club 2014

1st Prize

€5,000

Sister Antonio Monaghan

Athlone

 

2nd Prize

€2,000

Liam Faughnan

Annaduff

 

3rd Prize

€1,000

Cloone GAA

 

4th Prize

2 nights B&B + Evening Meal for 2 at Kilronan Castle

Tomas Mc Hugh

Mohill

 

5th Prize

2 nights B&B + Evening Meal for 2 at Hollyrood Hotel

Tomas Prior

Dublin

 

6th Prize

2 All Ireland Football Tickets

Simon Foley

Kinlough

 

7th Prize

2 All Ireland Hurling Tickets

Cathal Matthews

New York

 

8th Prize

€100

Ballinamore Sean O hEslins GAA

 

9th Prize

€100

Prof. John Crown

Dublin

 

10th Prize

€100

Padraig Mc Crann

Jamestown

 

Thanks to everyone who supported our Annual Fundraiser and of course our generous sponsors.

 

 

22-Mar-14 by Leitrim GAA

Saturday 22 march 2014

Due to a flight delay at Warwickshire end, Leitrim v Warwickshire changed from Ballinamore to 3G pitch Cavan at 6.30pm.

 

 

22-Mar-14 by Leitrim GAA

The Connacht Under 21 Football Championship semi finals are down for decision this weekend.  The defending all Champions Galway will be the guests in Carrick–on-Shannon when they will face Shane Ward’s Leitrim.  The winners will take on either Sligo or Roscommon in the final.  nÓgel Dineen’s men will be looking to build on their successful quarter final victory over Mayo when they play Sligo on Saturday

Galway will enter Saturday’s match as hot favourites to advance to the final.  Shane Ward is the manger of the Leitrim side and the Manorhamilton based teacher has enjoyed success at club under 21 with Aodh Ruadh in Donegal and Glencar Manorhamilton in Leitrim.

There’s no doubt that his men will face a massive test on Sunday but Ward is confident in his own side’s ability and is happy that the game will be played in Carrick-on-Shannon.  Ward also expects the tribesmen to be hell bent on retaining their Provincial title and maybe even looking further than the championship in the West.

Donal Wrynn is perhaps the best know of the Leitrim team after producing a number of superb performances for the senior side.  The Fenagh man has also played at full forward and full back for Sean Hagan’s side but it is expected that for under 21 duty he could be deployed to Midfield.  Leitrim are far from a one man band according to their Manager and in the future he expects more players to advance to the senior ranks.  The team selection won’t be announced until later in the week due to some players carrying minor knocks into the weekend, but regardless who takes to the field Ward is expecting that they will represent the county well.  In the Hastings cup Leitrim lost to Tipperary a side back boned by the All Winning Team from 2011, they were unlucky to loose to Meath, before ending the campaign with a big win over Wicklow.  Apart from those results the competition served Ward well as regards seeing players in a competitive environment.  In total the management team used thirty one different players.  Ward feels that the new rules has also altered the way that under age sides will be setting up their teams for different competitions.  Leitrim will have to be aware of the threat that Galway possess but on the other hand Leitrim will have to concentrate on their ownÓgame plan and their own performance.  In conclusion the Donegal man feels that his side have to stay in the game for a long as possible and thenÓgradually ask serious questions of the Tribesmen.

 Click on the link below to listen to Shane Wards interview with John Lynch.

http://www.shannonside.ie/sport/leitrim-under-21s-set-for-huge-challenge/http://www.shannonside.ie/sport/leitrim-under-21s-set-for-huge-challenge/

 

 

21-Mar-14 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht 40×20 Finals

The Connacht 40×20 Championship has come to its conclusion. Leitrim handballers reached Connacht Finals in three grades: Junior Doubles, U12 and U16 Singles. The Fenagh/Drumshanbo pairing of Shane Doonan and Martin Raftery were defeated in the Junior Doubles Final by Roscommons Dennis Creighton and Sean Jennings on a scoreline of 14-21, 21-20, 16-21.
In the Juvenile A Championship Cormac Scollan (U12) was defeated by Roscommons Liam Egan in a very tight and entertaining game by a single ace in the Tie Break on a score line of 10-15, 15-14, 14-15. Jarlath Scollan (U16) having defeated Mayos Michael Conlon in the Semi-Final came up against the 2013 All-Ireland U15 Champion Desmond Connelly and lost on a score line of 6-21, 5-21. Alan Doonan and Alan Wrynne U16 Doubles were defeated in the Semi-Final by Mayos Martin Mulhern and Matthew Lenehan on a score line of 18-21, 16-21.
The first round of the Juvenile B Championship takes place this week-end with Leitrim having home advantage against Sligo in Drumshanbo on Sunday with games inÓgrades from U11-16 in singles and doubles. 

 

 

19-Mar-14 by Handball PRO

The first ever GAA National Club Draw took place on March 17 2014 in Croke Park. A total of €2.45m was raised which goes directly back to the 957 clubs that participated. 

This is the first time this initiative has taken place and it is sure to become bigger and better in years to come. The Finance Committee came up with the idea and the GAA is delighted to support the initiative that benefits clubs directly.

***

WINNERS:

 

1) Trip to 2014 International Rules Series in Australia- Match tickets, airline tickets & accommodation for 2 – Paddy Reilly – Trinity Gaels – Dublin

2) Ultimate Football Package 2014 – 2 All Ireland Football tickets, All Stars banquet & trip with All Stars to Boston – Pat Clarke – Henry Joy Mc Crackens Moneymore – Derry

3) 2 Corporate Box tickets & hospitality for Croke Park concert in 2014 – Edmond Barrett – Kiltane – Mayo

4) Travel voucher to the value of €1,500 – Tomas Bourke – Clonoulty – Rossmore – Tipperary

5) All Ireland Football Final Package 2014 – 2 Corporate Box tickets , corporate hospitality & 2 nights accommodation – Brenda & Ann Desmond– Laochra Óg – Cork

6) All Ireland Hurling Final Package 2014 – 2 Corporate Box tickets , corporate hospitality & 2 nights accommodation – Tom Fogarty – Newport – Tipperary

7) Shopping Voucher to the value of €1,000 – Brian Senior – Glen Rovers- Cork

8) All Ireland Football & Hurling Final Package – 2 Premium tickets & overnight accommodation for both– Don Twomey – Kiskeam – Cork

9) 2 Croke Park Premium concert tickets in 2014 – Chris Bogle – Urney – Tyrone

10) Trip to New York St Patricks Day 2015 – Seamus Dowd – Four Roads Hurling – Roscommon

 

Club winners from all four provinces include: Dublin, Derry, Mayo, Roscommon, Tyrone 2 from Tipperary and 3 from Cork.

***

 

 

18-Mar-14 by Leitrim GAA

Referee Foundation award course
Referee co-ordinator Sean McCartin has organised a Referee Foundation award course commencing this Friday evening at 7pm in the Bush hotel. All clubs are asked to have an active trained referee. Without trained match officials we can not have any games so we would encourage any interested adult to come along on Friday evening to the Bush Hotel.  

For further details please contact.

Padraig McGourty 086-8106431 or coachingofficer.leitrim@gaa.ie
Thomas Keenan 087-6591049 or thomas.keenan.gm.leitrim@gaa.ie

 

 

13-Mar-14 by Leitrim GAA

Leitrim GAA Coaching & Games Development March 2014

Congrats
While it was great to witness our Senior County team win in Wicklow at the weekend and we wish them well in Waterford on Saturday, pride of place must go to the Ballinamore Community school senior team on winning the Connacht Senior C championship on Wednesday last. They play there All-Ireland semi-final inÓgort on Saturday next at 1.45pm and we would encourage any Leitrim supporters not making the trip to Waterford to try and get to Gort to support the lads.

Childrens First Bill 2012

Garda Vetting
The new Childrens First bill 2012 is due to become law in the first quarter of this year. Following this it will be a legal requirement for clubs to ensure that all persons involved with children within their club are Garda vetted. No person should be allowed have any involvement with groups up to 18 years if they are not Garda Vetted.
Clubs should request a copy of the Garda Vetting clearance letter from all personnel involved with any teams under the age of 18 years. Clubs can get confirmation of the vetted status of its members by submitting a full list of all current members working with children up to 18 years to County childrens officer Terence Boyle.

Kellogg’s GAA Cul camps
The following are the dates for this years Kellogg’s GAA Cul camps.

Week 1 June 30th-July 4th – Ck-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton & Ballinamore
Week 2 July 7th – 11th – Drumshanbo, Kinlough & Annaduff
Week 3 July 14th – 18th – Dromahair, Gortletteragh & Aughavas
Week 4 July 21st – 25th – Drumkeerin, Fenagh & Leitrim village
Week 5 July 28th – Aug 1st – Mohill

Camp coaches
Applications are now been accepted from coaches wishing to be considered for work on our 2014 Kellogg’s Cul camps. Coaches are asked to submit a current cv, complete with copies of all certs including Garda vetting to Thomas Keenan on or before March 25th.
Eligability criteria: Coaches must be over 18, preferrably in 3rd level. Have aquired a minimum of Foundation level coaching qualification. Have completed the code of best practise in youth sport.
Be Garda vetted
Be a registered member of their local GAA club

Hurling camps
We will be running a two day hurling camp in each of the four hurling hubs on the following dates
Week 1 30/06 & 01/07 – Mohill/Gortletteragh
Week 2 07/07 & 08/07 – Manorhamilton
Week 3 14/07 & 15/07 – Ck-on-Shannon
Week 4 28/07 & 29/07 – Ballinamore

Referee Foundation award course
Referee co-ordinator Sean McCartin has organised a Referee Foundation award course commencing this Friday evening at 7pm in the Bush hotel. All clubs are asked to have an active trained referee. Without trained match officials we can not have any games so we would encourage any interested adult to come along on Friday evening to the Bush Hotel.  

Connacht coaching conference

The Connacht coaching conference will take place on Saturday April 12th in the Connacht centre. The conference will focus on coaching the adult player and will also have a forum outlining the latest research topics on training etc. Leitrim have been allocated 16 football places and 5 hurling places, therefore we are recommending that only senior club coaches apply. Conference cost including lunch is only €30 per person and the closing date for applications will be Friday March 28th.

For further details on any of the above contact.
Padraig McGourty 086-8106431 or coachingofficer.leitrim@gaa.ie
Thomas Keenan 087-6591049 or thomas.keenan.gm.leitrim@gaa.ie

 

 

13-Mar-14 by Leitrim GAA

 
Scór Sinsir took place on Saturday last in Drumshanbo. The talent on stage once again was of a high standard & left the Roscommon judges with a few hard decisions to make. There was one entry only in the Leiriu competition however the adjudication panel declared it ineligible to go forward to the Connacht final under Scór rules. It will be the first time Leitrim have no entry in drama. Under new guidelines brought in this year there is a lot of unknowns of how to proceed & hopefully we can learn more through its developments in this its first Scór year.

The Connacht final will take place on March 22nd at 6pm sharp.

The very best of luck to all our Leitrim winners
 
Rince Foirne: St Marys
Solo Singing : Drumkeerin
Instrumental Music: Drumkeerin 
Recitation: Bornacoola
Ballad Group : St Marys 
Question Time: Sean OHeslins
Leiriu: no winner
Rince Set: Fenagh
 
Cormac MacGhiolla club of the year was awarded to Drumkeerin club.

 

 

11-Mar-14 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor